One of two A-12s converted to carry and launch the D-21 reconnaissance drone (seen here mounted on the rear fuselage), on display in the Museum of Flight. The other M-21, 60-6941 was lost in a D-21 launch accident on July 30th 1966 off coast of California. [Canon PowerShot S3 IS]

This aircraft would be called a M-21. When the D-21 drone was being developed, they knew they were going to convert 2 A-12's into "Motherships" for the D-21, so the planes were dubbed M-21, the drone D-21 (M-Mother and D for Daughter). Just a lil known fact...

Anonymous

3 years ago

Everything is perfect about this photo! Love the angle, the light, and, last but not least, the star of it all: the incredible M-21.